Floor panel for forming a floor covering

ABSTRACT

A floor panel for forming a floor covering comprises a pair of edges provided with coupling parts allowing to couple two of such floor panels to each other by means of a rotation movement. The coupling parts are realized in the form of a tongue and a groove with locking parts. The groove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip which comprises a locking part in the form of an upward-directed locking part. The upward-directed part extends over a height which is more than 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a floor panel for forming a floorcovering.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a floor panel forforming a floor covering, of the type wherein the floor panel comprisesa layer-shaped substrate, as well as a decorative top layer situatedabove the substrate; wherein the floor panel is rectangular, eitheroblong or square, and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and asecond pair of opposite edges; wherein the first pair of opposite edgesis provided with coupling parts, which allow effecting a coupledcondition between two of such floor panels by means of a rotationmovement around an axis parallel to the plane of the floor covering andparallel to the edges to be coupled; wherein the coupling parts at thefirst pair of opposite edges substantially are manufactured of thematerial of the substrate; wherein the coupling parts at the first pairof opposite edges substantially are realized in the form of a tongue anda groove, which are provided with locking parts, which, in the coupledcondition of two of such floor panels, counteract the moving apart ofthe coupled floor panels in a direction perpendicular to the couplededges and parallel to the plane of the floor covering; wherein thegroove is bordered by an upper lip and a lower lip, which lower lip, indistal direction, extends beyond the distal end of the upper lip and,beyond the distal end of the upper lip, comprises a locking part in theform of an upward-directed locking part; wherein the second pair ofopposite edges is provided with coupling parts, which allow effecting acoupled condition between two of such floor panels by means of asubstantially downward movement according to a direction perpendicularto the plane of the floor covering; and wherein the coupling parts atthe first and the second pair of opposite edges allow effecting acoupled condition between a plurality of such floor panels by means of afold-down movement.

Such type of floor panel is known in general and forms an example of aso-called fold-down type of floor panel.

What is meant by such fold-down type of floor panel is generally knownin the state of the art, however, for clarity's sake is illustrated inthe accompanying FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 represents a partially installed floor covering which is composedof floor panels 1 of the aforementioned type. These floor panels 1,thus, at least at one pair of opposite edges 2-3, here the long edges,comprise coupling parts of the so-called “pivot type”, and on the otherpair of opposite edges 4-5, here the short edges, coupling parts of theso-called “push-down”, “push-lock” or “drop” type.

Herein, it is noted that the specific configuration of the couplingparts at the respective edges is not explicitly represented in thefigure.

In particular, various rows of such already installed floor panels 1 arerepresented, as well as a floor panel 1 which still has to be installed,namely, the floor panel 1 in the inclined position. This floor panel 1must be coupled at its long edge 2 to the long edges 3 of the respectivefloor panels 1 in the preceding row and at its short edge 5 to the shortedge 4 of the floor panel 1 in the same row.

Due to the specific configuration of the coupling parts as describedherein above, the floor panel 1, starting from its inclined position,can be coupled in a single movement F at its long edge 2 as well as atits short edge 5 to the respective already installed floor panels 1.

The fold-down movement thus offers the possibility of providing a floorcovering in a very simple and efficient manner.

In practice, the actual fold-down movement F also is preceded by alateral shifting movement of the floor panel 1 to be installed. Thisshifting movement is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2 andindicated therein by the reference letter S.

The shifting movement S has to be performed because the floor panel 1 tobe installed typically is provided with its long edge 2 at the longedges 3 of the floor panels 1 in the preceding row at a distance X fromthe floor panel 1 in the same row and thus still has to be brought withits edge 5 into the proximity of the edge 4 of the already installedfloor panel in the same row.

However, this shifting movement is not always performed equally smoothand may impede the installation process of the floor covering. As anexample, when performing the shifting movement, the edge 2 of the floorpanel 1 to be installed can come loose from the edge 3 of the alreadyinstalled floor panel. What is meant herewith is illustrated in greaterdetail in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3, in an enlarged view, shows that part of the floor covering whichis indicated by reference F3 in FIG. 2. In particular, it represents thesituated where the edge 2, at a distance Z, has come loose from the edge3 during performing of the herein above-described shifting movement.Such situation is not desirable. In fact, hereby gaps and/or heightdifferences may occur between the mutually coupled floor panels in thefinal coupled condition of the floor panels 1.

That the shifting movement is not performed in a smooth manner in factoften occurs with floor panels which are made relatively thin, andwherein the layer-shaped substrate of which is of the rigid type andmore particularly is made on the basis of a thermoplastic material ofthe rigid type.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention primarily aims at an alternative floor panel forforming a floor covering, of the aforementioned type, wherein accordingto various preferred embodiments solutions are offered to problems withfloor panels of the state of the art.

To this aim, the present invention, according to a first independentaspect thereof, relates to a floor panel for forming a floor covering,of the aforementioned type, with the characteristic that saidupward-directed part extends over a height which is more than 0.1 timesthe thickness of the floor panel. By this characteristic, the advantageis obtained that the floor panel can be installed in a smoother manner.The relatively pronouncedly formed upward-directed part in fact providesfor that the risk of the respective edges coming loose during the hereinabove-described shifting movement can be reduced.

It is also noted that by the height over which the upward-directed partis extending the vertical distance is meant between there, where theupward-directed part begins and there, where the upward-directed partreaches its most upward-situated point.

The mentioned advantage can be pronounced even more in the case that theaforementioned height, over which the upward-directed part is extending,is at least 0.15 times and preferably even at least 0.2 times thethickness of the floor panel.

Preferably, said height over which the upward-directed part is extendingis maximum 0.33 times, more preferably maximum 0.3 times and still morepreferably maximum 0.25 times the thickness of the floor panel. This infact provides for that the shifting movement can be performed withouttoo much hindrance from the locking part and an effect, such asslip-stick, can be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, the most upward-situated point of saidupward-directed part is situated at a height in respect to the undersideof the floor panel which is at least 0.45 times the thickness of thefloor panel.

However, said height of the most upward-situated point of theupward-directed part preferably is maximum 0.75 times, more preferablymaximum 0.6 times and still more preferably maximum 0.5 times thethickness of the floor panel.

The risk that the respective edges may come loose during the hereinabove-described shifting movement can still be reduced in the case thatsaid locking parts comprise locking surfaces, which, in the coupledcondition of two of such floor panels, define a tangent line forming anangle with the plane of the floor covering which is situated between 50and 90 degrees, borders included. Preferably, said angle even is largerthan 60 degrees, however, best is smaller than 80 degrees and stillbetter smaller than 70 degrees.

It is also noted that the locking surfaces do not necessarily have to beflat but may also be curved. In the case of curved or bent lockingsurfaces, they may define, in the coupled condition, a plurality oftangent lines, however, then, in accordance with the hereinabove-described embodiment, they define at least a tangent line formingan angle, as herein above-mentioned, with the plane of the floorcovering.

Notwithstanding the pronounced upward-directed part, the smoothness ofcoupling of the tongue and the groove still can be guaranteed in thecase that the lower lip extends over a horizontal distance beyond thedistal end of the upper lip of at least 0.85 times, preferably even atleast 0.9 times and still more preferably at least 1 time the thicknessof the floor panel. This in fact allows providing the requiredelasticity at the lower lip, such that it possibly can be bent in asimple manner during the coupling process.

However, preferably said horizontal distance over which the lower lipextends beyond the distal end of the upper lip is maximum 1.5 times,more preferably maximum 1.2 times and still better maximum 1.1 times thethickness of the floor panel. This allows realizing the lower lip stillstable.

The coupling smoothness of the tongue and the groove can be improvedeven more by having said lower lip show a minimum thickness of maximum0.3 times the thickness of the floor panel. However, this minimumthickness preferably is minimum 0.1 times and more preferably minimum0.2 times the thickness of the floor panel, and such in order to be ableto realize the lower lip still stable.

In a particular embodiment, said lower lip reaches its minimum thicknessthere, where said upward-directed part is beginning. This isparticularly advantageous in view of the fact that the lower lip, on theone hand, there, where the upward-directed part is beginning, can bemade rather elastic and consequently there is easy to bent, and, on theother hand, at other locations, for example, there, where it forms aconnection with the actual floor panel, can be made relatively sturdyand stable.

Preferably, the horizontal distance between the most inward-situated ormost proximally situated point of the groove and the distal end of theupper lip is maximum 0.6 times or maximum 0.5 times the thickness of thefloor panel, however, preferably this horizontal distance is minimum 0.3times and still better minimum 0.35 times the thickness of the floorpanel. With such relatively shallow groove, the advantage is obtainedthat the present invention can be applied with relatively thin floorpanels. In such floor panels, the shallow groove provides for that theweakening as a result of the application of the groove can berestricted.

A particular advantage of the present invention consists in that evenwith such shallow groove the smoothness of installation can beguaranteed. Irrespective of the fact that the shallow groove providesfor that the risk of a coming loose of the edges, more particularlycoming loose of the tongue and the groove, when performing the shiftingmovement is rather large, the inventor has found that the inventionallows limiting this risk considerably.

For the above-mentioned reasons, the present invention is appliedparticularly advantageous in thin floor panels, such as floor panelshaving a thickness of maximum 8 mm, preferably floor panels having athickness of maximum 7 mm, and still more in floor panels having athickness of maximum 6 mm, however, wherein the thickness thereofpreferably is at least 4 mm.

Preferably, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels acontact is formed between the locking surfaces of the aforementionedlocking parts, and a space is present on a lower side of the tonguewhich extends from said contact to beyond the distal end of the upperlip. In that such space is provided, the advantage is obtained that thesmoothness of installation can be guaranteed, in that, for example,possible tolerances in the manufacture of the coupling parts can beaccommodated.

In an embodiment, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels acontact is formed between an upper side of the tongue and a lower sideof the upper lip, as well as proximally from the distal end of the upperlip a contact between a lower side of the tongue and an upper side ofthe lower lip.

In particular, in the coupled condition also a contact is formed betweenthe locking surfaces of the locking parts, and there is a space presenton a lower side of the tongue, which extends from the last-mentionedcontact to the contact formed between the lower side of the tongue andthe upper side of the lower lip.

Preferably, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels, thedistal end of the lower lip of the one floor panel is separated from theother floor panel. This offers the possibility for a possible bending ofthe lower lip during the coupling process, which enhances the smoothnessof installation.

The coupling parts of the first pair of opposite edges preferably alloweffecting a snap coupling.

The present invention can be applied in a particularly advantageousmanner in the case that said substrate comprises at least one layerwhich is realized on the basis of a composition which comprises at leasta thermoplastic synthetic material, wherein said composition is freefrom plasticizers or comprises plasticizers in an amount of less than 20phr and preferably in an amount between 5 and 15 phr.

A particular advantage of the invention is in fact that even with suchsubstrates or substrate layers of the rigid or stiff type the smoothnessof installation still can be guaranteed. Irrespective of the fact thatsuch substrate or substrate layer increases the risk of the edges comingloose when performing said shifting movement, in particular because in amutual shifting of the edges there is relatively little friction,contrary to, for example, substrates or substrate layers of the suppletype, the inventor has found that the measures of the invention allowrestricting this risk drastically.

Preferably, the aforementioned layer forms at least half of thethickness of the floor panel.

The advantages of the invention are particularly prominent in the casethat the coupling parts of the first pair of opposite edgessubstantially are realized in the aforementioned layer.

The above-mentioned layer and/or the composition can also show one ormore of the following characteristics:

-   -   the composition also comprises at least fillers and/or mineral        fiber structures;    -   the above-mentioned thermoplastic synthetic material is selected        from the following group: polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene,        polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination of        two or more of the above; and/or    -   the aforementioned layer is foamed.

The herein above-mentioned fillers may concern inorganic fillers, suchas talc, chalk and/or limestone, or, whether or not in combination withthese inorganic fillers, organic fillers such as wood and/or bambooparticles.

The above-mentioned substrate can be made multi-layered and, apart fromthe above-mentioned layer, preferably also comprises a more supple layersituated there above. This more supple layer can be made on the basis ofa thermoplastic synthetic material of the supple type, such as supplepolyvinyl chloride. Preferably, the more supple layer is of the LVT orLuxury Vinyl Tile type.

The floor panel may also comprise a counter layer which is situatedunderneath said substrate. An example of such counter layer is a layerof cork, which can impart acoustic properties to the floor panel.

The decorative top layer of the floor panel preferably comprises atleast a decor and moreover may also comprise a transparent ortranslucent wear layer situated above the decor.

It is also noted that the coupling parts at the aforementioned secondpair of opposite edges may show one or more of the followingcharacteristics, as far as they are not contradictory:

-   -   the coupling parts comprise a locking system, which allows        effecting a locking between two of such floor panels in a        direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering;    -   the coupling parts comprise a locking system, which allows        effecting a locking between two of such floor panels in a        direction parallel to the plane of the floor covering and        perpendicular to the coupled edges;    -   the coupling parts comprise only one of the aforementioned        locking systems;    -   the coupling parts comprise both aforementioned locking systems;    -   the locking system, which allows effecting a locking between two        of such floor panels in a direction perpendicular to the plane        of the floor covering is formed by locking parts which        substantially are made from the material of the substrate;    -   the locking system, which allows effecting a locking between two        of such floor panels in a direction perpendicular to the plane        of the floor covering is formed by locking parts of which at        least one locking part is formed by a separate insertion piece        or insert.

It is also noted that the coupling parts at the first pair of oppositeedges and/or the coupling parts at the second pair of opposite edges maybe performed such that they fit into each other with a so-calledpretension, as is known as such from WO 97/47834 A1.

Although the present invention preferably is applied with floor panelswith a thermoplastic substrate of the rigid or stiff type, or anyhow atleast comprise such substrate layer, it is not excluded that theinvention is applied with floor panels with a thermoplastic substrate ofthe supple type, or anyhow at least comprise such substrate layer, andthe coupling parts at the first pair of opposite edges thensubstantially are realized in this supple thermoplastic substrate layer,or with wood-based floor panels, such as floor panels with a substrateof MDF, HDF or particle board.

It is also noted that various of the herein above-mentioned measures assuch form inventive ideas in combination with their application in thinfloor panels with a thermoplastic substrate layer of the rigid type,independent of the characteristic that said upward-directed part extendsover a height which is more than 0.1 times the thickness of the floorpanel. This is why the present invention, according to an independentsecond aspect, also relates to a floor panel for forming a floorcovering, of the aforementioned type, with the characteristic that thethickness of the floor panel is maximum 8 mm, preferably maximum 7 mmand more preferably maximum 6 mm; that said substrate comprises at leastone layer which is made on the basis of a composition comprising atleast a thermoplastic synthetic material; that said composition is freefrom plasticizers or comprises plasticizers in an amount of less than 20phr and preferably in an amount between 5 and 15 phr; and that the floorpanel also has one or more of the following characteristics:

-   -   the most upward-directed point of said upward-directed part is        situated at a height in respect to the underside of the floor        panel which is at least 0.45 times the thickness of the floor        panel;    -   the aforementioned locking parts comprise locking surfaces        which, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels,        define a tangent line forming an angle with the plane of the        floor covering which is situated between 50 and 90 degrees,        borders included;    -   the aforementioned lower lip extends over a horizontal distance        beyond the distal end of the upper lip of at least 0.85 times,        preferably at least 0.9 times and more preferably at least 1        time the thickness of the floor panel;    -   the aforementioned lower lip has a minimum thickness of maximum        0.3 times and preferably minimum 0.1 times and more preferably        minimum 0.2 times the thickness of the floor panel; and/or    -   in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels, a contact        is formed between the locking surfaces of the locking parts and        a space is present at a lower side of the tongue which extends        from the aforementioned contact to beyond the distal side of the        upper lip.

It is also noted that this independent second aspect can be combined atchoice with any of the characteristics of the first aspect, independentof the characteristic that said upward-directed part extends over aheight which is more than 0.1 times the thickness of the floor panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of theinvention, herein below, as an example without any limitative character,some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a partially installed floor covering which is composedof floor panels of the so-called fold-down type;

FIG. 2 represents the shifting movement which in practice precedes theactual fold-down movement;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view of that part of the floor coveringwhich is indicated by reference F3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents in top view a floor panel according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 represents a cross-section according to line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents a cross-section according to line VI-VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 represents an enlarged view of the edges from FIG. 5, however, inthe coupled condition of the edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 4 represents a floor panel 1 according to the present invention.

The floor panel 1 is rectangular and in this case oblong and comprises afirst pair of opposite edges 2-3, which form the long edges, and asecond pair of opposite edges 4-5, which form the short edges.

FIG. 5 represents a cross-section according to line V-V in FIG. 4.

The floor panel 1 comprises a layer-shaped substrate 6, as well as adecorative top layer 7 situated above the substrate 6.

Said substrate 6 comprises at least one layer 6A, which is made on thebasis of a composition comprising at least a thermoplastic syntheticmaterial, wherein said composition is free from plasticizers orcomprises plasticizers in an amount of less than 20 phr and preferablyin an amount between 5 and 15 phr. Further, the composition may berealized as described herein above in the introduction.

The layer 6A forms at least half of the thickness T of the floor panel1.

Said substrate 2 here is multi-layered and, apart from the layer 6A,also comprises a more supple layer 6B situated above the layer 6A. Thismore supple layer 6B may be realized such as described in theintroduction.

Said top layer 7 preferably comprises at least a decor, as well as atransparent or translucent wear layer situated above the decor.

The first pair of opposite edges 2-3 is provided with coupling parts8-9, which allow effecting a coupled condition between two of suchcoupling parts 1 by means of a rotation movement R around an axisparallel to the plane of the floor covering and parallel to the edges2-3 to be coupled.

The coupling parts 8-9 substantially are made from the material of thesubstrate 6 and more particularly substantially in the aforementionedlayer 6A.

Substantially, they are realized in the form of a tongue 10 and a groove11, which are provided with locking parts 12-13, which, in the coupledcondition of two of such floor panels 1, counteract the moving apart ofthe coupled floor panels 1 in a direction H perpendicular to the couplededges 2-3 and parallel to the plane of the floor covering.

The groove 11 is bordered by an upper lip 14 and a lower lip 15, whichlower lip 15 in distal direction reaches beyond the distal end 16 of theupper lip 14 and, beyond the distal end 16 of the upper lip 14,comprises a locking part 13 in the form of an upward-directed lockingpart 13.

FIG. 6 represents a cross-section according to line VI-VI in FIG. 4.

The second pair of opposite edges 4-5 is provided with coupling parts17-18, which allow effecting a coupled condition between two of suchfloor panels 1 by means of a substantially downward movement M accordingto a direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering.

The coupling parts 17-18 here are made as hook-shaped portions 19-20,which form a locking system which allows effecting a locking between twoof such floor panels 1 in a direction parallel to the plane of the floorcovering and perpendicular to the coupled edges 4-5.

Here, the coupling parts 17-18 further comprise locking parts 21-22 andlocking parts 23-24, which each form a locking system which allowseffecting a locking between two of such floor panels 1 in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the floor covering.

The coupling parts 8-9 and 17-18 at the first and the second pair ofopposite edges 2-3 and 4-5 allow effecting a coupled condition between aplurality of such floor panels 1 by means of a fold-down movement F, asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 represents in an enlarged view the edges 2-3 from FIG. 5,however, in the coupled condition of the edges 2-3.

The aforementioned upward-directed part 13 extends over a height H1which is more than 0.1 times the thickness T of the floor panel 1.Preferably, the height H1 is at least 0.15 times and more preferablyminimum 0.2 times the thickness T of the floor panel 1. However, thethickness H1 preferably is maximum 0.33 times, more preferably maximum0.3 times and still more preferably maximum 0.25 times the thickness Tof the floor panel 1.

The most upward-situated point 25 of said upward-directed part 13 issituated at a height H2 in respect to the underside 26 of the floorpanel 1 which is at least 0.45 times the thickness T of the floor panel1. Preferably, this height H2 is maximum 0.75 times, more preferablymaximum 0.6 times and still more preferably maximum 0.5 times thethickness T of the floor panel 1.

The locking parts 12-13 comprise locking surfaces 27-28, which, in thecoupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, define a tangent lineTA which forms an angle A with the plane of the floor covering situatedbetween 50 and 90 degrees, borders included. Said angle A preferably islarger than 60 degrees, however, preferably smaller than 80 degrees andmore preferably smaller than 70 degrees. In this case, the angle A is 65degrees.

Said lower lip 15 extends over a horizontal distance L beyond the distalend 16 of the upper lip 14 of at least 0.85 times, preferably at least0.9 times and more preferably at least 1 time the thickness T of thefloor panel 1. However, this distance L preferably is maximum 1.5 times,more preferably maximum 1.2 times and still more preferably maximum 1.1times the thickness T of the floor panel 1.

Said lower lip 15 has a minimum thickness T1 of maximum 0.3 times andpreferably minimum 0.1 times and more preferably minimum 0.2 times thethickness T of the floor panel 1. In this case, the lower lip 15 reachesits minimum thickness T1 there, where said upward-directed part 13 isbeginning.

The horizontal distance D between the most inward-situated or mostproximally situated point 29 of the groove 11 and the distal end 16 ofthe upper lip 14 is maximum 0.6 times and preferably maximum 0.5 timesthe thickness T of the floor panel 1. However, this horizontal distanceD preferably is minimum 0.3 times and more preferably minimum 0.35 timesthe thickness T of the floor panel 1.

The thickness T of the floor panel 1 is maximum 8 mm, preferably maximum7 mm and more preferably maximum 6 mm. Preferably, it is at least 4 mm.

In the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, a contact C1 isformed between the locking surfaces 27-28 of the locking parts 12-13,and a space 30 is present on a lower side 31 of the tongue 10, whichextends from said contact C1 to beyond the distal end 16 of the upperlip 14.

In the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, a contact C2 isformed between an upper side 32 of the tongue 10 and a lower side 33 ofthe upper lip 14, and proximally from the distal end 16 of the upper lip14 a contact C3 is formed between a lower side 31 of the tongue 10 andan upper side 34 of the lower lip 15.

In this case, the space 30 extends from the aforementioned contact C1 upto the contact C3 formed between the lower side 31 of the tongue 10 andthe upper side 34 of the lower lip 15.

In the coupled condition of two of such floor panels 1, the distal end35 of the lower lip 15 of the one floor panel 1 is separated from theother floor panel 1.

The present invention is in no way limited to the herein above-describedembodiments, on the contrary can such methods, floor panels and carriermaterial be realized according to various variants, without leaving thescope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A floor panel for forming a floor covering,the floor panel comprising: a substrate, and a decorative top layersituated above the substrate; wherein the top layer comprises a decorand a transparent or translucent wear layer situated above the décor;wherein the floor panel is rectangular, either oblong or square, andcomprises a first pair of opposite edges and a second pair of oppositeedges; wherein the first pair of opposite edges is provided withcoupling parts, which allow effecting a coupled condition between two ofsuch floor panels by means of a rotation movement around an axisparallel to a plane of the floor covering and parallel to the edges tobe coupled; wherein the coupling parts at the first pair of oppositeedges substantially are manufactured of the material of the substrate;wherein the coupling parts at the first pair of opposite edgessubstantially are realized in the form of a tongue and a groove, whichare provided with locking parts, which, in the coupled condition of twoof such floor panels, counteract the moving apart of the coupled floorpanels in a direction perpendicular to the coupled edges and parallel tothe plane of the floor covering; wherein the groove is bordered by anupper lip and a lower lip, which lower lip, in distal direction, extendsbeyond the distal end of the upper lip, and, the portion of the lowerlip that extends beyond the distal end of the upper lip comprises one ofsaid locking parts in the form of an upward-directed locking part;wherein the second pair of opposite edges is provided with couplingparts, which allow effecting a coupled condition between two of suchfloor panels by means of a substantially downward movement according toa direction perpendicular to the plane of the floor covering; whereinthe coupling parts at the first and the second pair of opposite edgesallow effecting a coupled condition between a plurality of such floorpanels at both the first pair of opposite edges and the second pair ofopposite edges by a single turning movement that effects both therotation movement respectively at the first pair of opposite edges of afirst and second of such floor panels and the substantially downwardmovement respectively at the second pair of opposite edges of the firstand a third of such floor panels; wherein said upward-directed partextends over a height which is more than 0.1 times the thickness of thefloor panel; wherein the substrate is multilayered; wherein thesubstrate includes at least a first layer that is formed of acomposition that includes a thermoplastic synthetic material; andwherein said composition of the first layer is free of plasticizers orincludes plasticizers in an amount of less than 20 parts per hundred(phr); wherein the substrate also includes a supple layer situated abovesaid first layer; and wherein the coupling parts of the first pair ofopposite edges are manufactured substantially in said first layer,wherein said locking parts include locking surfaces to counter themoving apart of the coupled floor panels, wherein said locking surfacesdefine a tangent line forming an angle with the plane of the floorcovering which is between 60 and 80 degrees.
 2. The floor panel of claim1, wherein said height, over which the upward-directed part extends, isat least 0.15 times the thickness of the floor panel.
 3. The floor panelof claim 1, wherein said height, over which the upward-directed partextends, is maximum 0.33 times the thickness of the floor panel.
 4. Thefloor panel of claim 1, wherein the most upward-situated point of saidupward-directed part is situated at a height in respect to the undersideof the floor panel, which is at least 0.45 times the thickness of thefloor panel.
 5. The floor panel of claim 4, wherein said height of themost upward-situated point of the upward-directed part is maximum 0.75times the thickness of the floor panel.
 6. The floor panel of claim 1,wherein said lower lip extends over a horizontal distance beyond thedistal end of the upper lip of at least 0.85 times the thickness of thefloor panel.
 7. The floor panel of claim 6, wherein said horizontaldistance over which the lower lip extends beyond the distal end of theupper lip is maximum 1.5 times the thickness of the floor panel.
 8. Thefloor panel of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the floor panel ismaximum 8 mm.
 9. The floor panel of claim 8, wherein the thickness ofthe floor panel is at least 4 mm.
 10. The floor panel of claim 1,wherein the first layer forms at least half of the thickness of thefloor panel.
 11. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the compositionalso comprises at least fillers and/or mineral fiber structures.
 12. Thefloor panel of claim 1, wherein the first layer is foamed.
 13. The floorpanel of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic synthetic material isselected from the following group: polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene,polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination of two ormore of the above.
 14. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein the supplelayer that includes a thermoplastic synthetic material of the suppletype.
 15. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein said upward-directed partextends over a height which is 0.1 to 0.25 times the thickness of thefloor panel.
 16. The floor panel of claim 1, wherein saidupward-directed part extends over a height which is 0.2 to 0.3 times thethickness of the floor panel.
 17. The floor panel of claim 1, whereinsaid locking parts include locking surfaces to counter the moving apartof the coupled floor panels, and a space is present on a lower side ofthe tongue, said space extending from a contact of said locking surfacesto at least below the distal end of the upper lip.
 18. A floor panel forforming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising: a substrate, and adecorative top layer situated above the substrate; wherein the top layercomprises a decor and a transparent or translucent wear layer situatedabove the décor; wherein the floor panel is rectangular, either oblongor square, and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a secondpair of opposite edges; wherein the first pair of opposite edges isprovided with coupling parts, which allow effecting a coupled conditionbetween two of such floor panels by means of a rotation movement aroundan axis parallel to a plane of the floor covering and parallel to theedges to be coupled; wherein the coupling parts at the first pair ofopposite edges substantially are manufactured of the material of thesubstrate; wherein the coupling parts at the first pair of oppositeedges substantially are realized in the form of a tongue and a groove,which are provided with locking parts, which, in the coupled conditionof two of such floor panels, counteract the moving apart of the coupledfloor panels in a direction perpendicular to the coupled edges andparallel to the plane of the floor covering; wherein the groove isbordered by an upper lip and a lower lip, which lower lip, in distaldirection, extends beyond the distal end of the upper lip, and, theportion of the lower lip that extends beyond the distal end of the upperlip comprises one of said locking parts in the form of anupward-directed locking part; wherein the second pair of opposite edgesis provided with coupling parts, which allow effecting a coupledcondition between two of such floor panels by means of a substantiallydownward movement according to a direction perpendicular to the plane ofthe floor covering; wherein the coupling parts at the first and thesecond pair of opposite edges allow effecting a coupled conditionbetween a plurality of such floor panels at both the first pair ofopposite edges and the second pair of opposite edges by a single turningmovement that effects both the rotation movement respectively at thefirst pair of opposite edges of a first and second of such floor panelsand the substantially downward movement respectively at the second pairof opposite edges of the first and a third of such floor panels; whereinsaid upward-directed part extends over a height which is more than 0.1times the thickness of the floor panel; wherein the substrate ismultilayered; wherein the substrate includes at least a first layer thatis formed of a composition that includes a thermoplastic syntheticmaterial; and wherein said composition of the first layer is free ofplasticizers or includes plasticizers in an amount of less than 20 partsper hundred (phr); wherein the substrate also includes a supple layersituated above said first layer; and wherein the coupling parts of thefirst pair of opposite edges are manufactured substantially in saidfirst layer, wherein said composition of the first layer includesplasticizers in an amount between 5 and 15 phr.
 19. A floor panel forforming a floor covering, the floor panel comprising: a substrate, and adecorative top layer situated above the substrate; wherein the top layercomprises a decor and a transparent or translucent wear layer situatedabove the décor; wherein the floor panel is rectangular, either oblongor square, and comprises a first pair of opposite edges and a secondpair of opposite edges; wherein the first pair of opposite edges isprovided with coupling parts, which allow effecting a coupled conditionbetween two of such floor panels by means of a rotation movement aroundan axis parallel to a plane of the floor covering and parallel to theedges to be coupled; wherein the coupling parts at the first pair ofopposite edges substantially are manufactured of the material of thesubstrate; wherein the coupling parts at the first pair of oppositeedges substantially are realized in the form of a tongue and a groove,which are provided with locking parts, which, in the coupled conditionof two of such floor panels, counteract the moving apart of the coupledfloor panels in a direction perpendicular to the coupled edges andparallel to the plane of the floor covering; wherein the groove isbordered by an upper lip and a lower lip, which lower lip, in distaldirection, extends beyond the distal end of the upper lip, and, theportion of the lower lip that extends beyond the distal end of the upperlip comprises one of said locking parts in the form of anupward-directed locking part; wherein the second pair of opposite edgesis provided with coupling parts, which allow effecting a coupledcondition between two of such floor panels by means of a substantiallydownward movement according to a direction perpendicular to the plane ofthe floor covering; wherein the coupling parts at the first and thesecond pair of opposite edges allow effecting a coupled conditionbetween a plurality of such floor panels at both the first pair ofopposite edges and the second pair of opposite edges by a single turningmovement that effects both the rotation movement respectively at thefirst pair of opposite edges of a first and second of such floor panelsand the substantially downward movement respectively at the second pairof opposite edges of the first and a third of such floor panels; whereinsaid upward-directed part extends over a height which is more than 0.1times the thickness of the floor panel; wherein the substrate ismultilayered; wherein the substrate includes at least a first layer thatis formed of a composition that includes a thermoplastic syntheticmaterial; and wherein said composition of the first layer is free ofplasticizers or includes plasticizers in an amount of less than 20 partsper hundred (phr); wherein the substrate also includes a supple layersituated above said first layer; and wherein the coupling parts of thefirst pair of opposite edges are manufactured substantially in saidfirst layer, wherein the coupling parts at the first pair of oppositeedges are configured such that in coupled condition of the floor panelat its first pair of opposite edges with an other of such floor panel,the distal end of the lower lip of the floor panel is separated from theother such floor panel.